Thanks for the info! My wife and I are considering a trip to Prague next spring. I searched for arms museums but hadn't been able to come up with anything. We will have to make this one of our stops.

We are thinking of finishing our trip with a couple days in either Cesky Krumlov or Karlovy Vary. Would you know if either of them have anything arms and armour related?

Thanks,
Casey

Martin Lubojacky

7th July 2015 11:21 PM

Thanks Fernando.

Dear Casey, in Český Krumlov you will find something here: http://www.zamek-ceskykrumlov.eu/to.../castle-museum/. (look at 8.10 Armoury). Karlovy vary is a town of spas, glassworks, film festival and Russian tourists. Weapons would be in the castles of West Bohemia, I do not know if there is something directly in the city.

In Prague you could also visit Military History Museum and Náprstkovo museum (http://www.nm.cz/Naprstek-Museum/). Nevertheless, as far as weapons in Náprstek Museum are concerned, there is only stable exhibition of American Indians ans Pacific weapons. Others, like e.g. Africa, are in deposits and they display it from time to time ----
Regards,
Martin

ChrisPer

12th July 2015 02:00 PM

I highly recommend Ceske Krumlov. The arms collection is very pleasing with matchlocks, wheellocks, Turkish arms and also a room of minting tools and you are allowed to photograph and take your time going through. Several cannon associated with the castle since the Thirty Years War are sheltered under a verandah.

In Prague Castle's Golden Lane is a display of armour that I think must be leftovers from the movies, but I could be wrong.

The Lobkowitz palace in Prague Castle has a lovely display of arms, and there is another in their castle at Nelahozeves. The amazing residence of Franz Ferdinand at Konopiste has the best of all, a huge collection of fascinating arms (plus his truly ridiculous amount of hunting trophies). But sadly these last two collections are guided tours only; you are herded into a room, it is discussed for five minutes, then the party is herded into the next room and the door locked behind. No photography at any of them. :( :(

I missed the museum of military history, but we were walking along the river when I realised I was looking at the massive brick faced bastion of a star fort. And I was looking for cannon, but saw almost none except smaller privately held ones.

I will post some pics later.

broadaxe

13th July 2015 08:44 PM

The Imperial Armoury in Schwarzenberg Palace is absolutely fantastic! I was there just after the renovation, a few years ago. Make sure you find it, because the entrance to the exhibition is hidden behind a closed door and one must climb up.

ChrisPer

29th July 2015 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadaxe

The Imperial Armoury in Schwarzenberg Palace is absolutely fantastic! I was there just after the renovation, a few years ago. Make sure you find it, because the entrance to the exhibition is hidden behind a closed door and one must climb up.

I missed it, not knowing it was there. :( Maybe one day I can go back.

Meanwhile does anyone know if there is old artillery displayed in Prague?

Iain

24th September 2017 10:10 AM

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I thought I'd bring this topic back to life for a bit. The Schwarzenberg Palace armoury is still around and of course a wonderful gallery. However there are a few other places off the beaten track worth seeking out. I recently had a free day to make a few museum visits.

First of all The City of Prague Museum, this one isn't as well trafficked as the national museum network, but it has some wonderful exhibits detailing the history of Prague. Part of that includes arms and armour artifacts.

A few selections below including an exceptional bronze sword, early iron swords and spears, 13th century swords and axes and Hussite arms as well as an early bronze hand cannon.

Iain

24th September 2017 10:12 AM

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Rest of the images.

Iain

24th September 2017 10:13 AM

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Hussite etc.

Iain

24th September 2017 10:17 AM

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Finally there is also the excellent ethnographic museum Martin mentioned, Náprstkovo. While this is not a particularly large museum they have regularly changing exhibits. The top floor also has a permanent exhibit from Australia and Oceania. This is a bit of an old fashioned display but has many cases dedicated to the islands of Oceania and includes many weapons. Just a few images below.

For all the images, my apologies for the less than stellar quality, lighting was not great!

silberschatzimsee

24th September 2017 06:13 PM

After reading this thread, i did not know that there was a arms museum in Krumau.